Lagging removal tool

Abstract

A tool for removing lagging strips from conveyor belt pulley drums is disclosed. A tool head is driven across the drum against the end of the strip, and simultaneously raises the metal clips which retain the lagging strip. Parallel tubular elements guide the tool head across the drum, and a hydraulic cylinder or winch may be used to power the tool head.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for removing lagging strips secured to a conveyor belt pulley drum by means of parallel rows of metal clips from such drum, comprising: (a) a tool head having a lower surface having a circumference conforming to the outer circumference of said pulley drum whereby said tool head is adapted to slide in close contact with said outer circumference of said pulley drum, and lower side edges spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the distance between said parallel rows of metal clips and adapted to simultaneously slide under and raise said metal clips securing said lagging strips and a planar front face substantially perpendicular to said side edges and adapted to bear against an end of said lagging strips;   (b) guide means adapted to be secured to said drum and to guide said tool across the width of said drum; and,   (c) power activated means for moving said tool head across said drum, whereby said planar front face of said tool head bears against an end of said lagging strip, forcing said lagging strip ahead of said tool head along the surface of said drum out from under said metal clips and beyond an edge of said drum, said lower edges of said tool head sliding under and raising said metal clips.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power activated means comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power activated means comprises a winch and cable. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for holding said tool head. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for holding said tool head is adapted to adjust the height of said tool head above said drum. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said guide means comprises parallel tubular members adapted to slidably receive said means for holding said tool head. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said parallel tubular members are provided at either end thereof with means for removable attachment to the edges of said pulley drum. 
     
     
       8. A tool head for removing a lagging strip from a conveyor belt pulley drum where said strip is secured to said drum by means of parallel rows of metal clips comprising a lower surface having a circumference conforming to the outer circumference of said pulley drum whereby said tool head is adapted to slide in close contact with said outer circumference of said pulley drum, and lower side edges spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the distance between said parallel rows of metal clips and adapted to simultaneously slide under and raise said metal clips securing said lagging strips and a planar front face substantially perpendicular to said side edges and adapted to bear against an end of said lagging strips, and means for connecting to said tool head power activated means for moving said tool head across said drum, whereby said planar front face of said tool head bears against an end of said lagging strip, forcing said lagging strip ahead of said tool head along the surface of said drum out from under said metal clips and beyond an edge of said drum, said lower edges of said tool head sliding under and raising said metal clips, and means for attaching said tool head to guide means to guide said tool across the width of said drum. 
     
     
       9. A method of removing lagging strips from pulley drums where said lagging strips are secured to said drum by means of parallel rows of metal clips, comprising: (a) providing a tool head having a lower surface having a circumference conforming to the outer circumference of said pulley drum whereby said tool head is adapted to slide in close contact with said outer circumference of said pulley drum, and lower side edges spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the distance between said parallel rows of metal clips and adapted to simultaneously slide under and raise said metal clips and a planar front face substantially perpendicular to said side edges and adapted to bear against an end of said lagging strips;   (b) providing parallel guide means for guiding said tool across the width of said drum;   (c) mounting said guide means onto said drum across the width of said drum; and   (d) activating power-driven means for driving said tool head across said pulley drum whereby said planar front face of said tool head bears against the end of one of said lagging strips forcing said lagging strip ahead of said tool head along the surface of said drum out from under said metal clips and beyond an edge of said drum, and said lower edges of said tool head simultaneously raise said metal clips.